So our Mass goes back, without essential change, to the age when it first developed out of the oldest liturgy of all. It is still redolent of that liturgy, of the days when Cæsar ruled the world and thought he could stamp out the faith of Christ, when our fathers met together before dawn and sang a hymn to Christ as to a God. The final result of our enquiry is that, in spite of unsolved problems, in spite of later changes, there is not in Christendom another rite so venerable as ours. ~Fortescue

Monday, February 3, 2014

Sunday, February 2nd, 2014 was the Feast of Candlemas. Traditionally, on this day, in the Catholic Church candles and blessed and distributed to the faithful. Then, there is also a procession with lighted candles.

At the Church of the Holy Innocents, the first Sunday in February is the Anniversary of the Consecration of the Church. So, Sunday, February 2nd this year was also the anniversary of the church.

The Celebrant of the Mass was Fr. Joseph DeGuzman, FSSP

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BLESSING OF CANDLES AT THE HIGH ALTAR

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SPRINKLING CANDLES WITH HOLY WATER

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INCENSATION OF THE CANDLES

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DISTRIBUTION OF BLESSED CANDLES TO THOSE IN THE SANCTUARY

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DISTRIBUTING THE CANDLES TO THE FAITHFUL

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LINED UP FOR PROCESSION WITH LIGHTED CANDLES AROUND THE CHURCH

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AFTER THE PROCESSION, THE CELEBRANT CHANGES VESTMENTS TO START THE MASS FOR THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEDICATION/CONSECRATION OF A CHURCH